A mother penguin feeds her baby. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou's Changqiao Polar Ocean Park has become the talk of the town, as 17 baby penguins hatched in the park from Nov 16 to Nov 26.

The hatching was live streamed, receiving over 100,000 views across platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Tide News, as captivated viewers tuned in for the first glimpses of the chicks.

On Nov 16, the first chick hatched, drawing admiration from fans who later visited the park to see the newborns. By Nov 26, the number of penguin chicks had risen to 17, with more expected.

This season has brought special joy to the park's staff, particularly with Hope, the first penguin bred in Hangzhou, who is now a father. Hope had been unable to find a mate until this year, when caretakers introduced him to a female penguin. After a stable courtship, he and his mate successfully hatched their first chick.

The caretakers, acting as nannies during the chicks' rapid growth phase, ensure the penguin parents are well-fed and supported. The penguin parents take turns keeping the chicks warm and feeding them regurgitated food. Caretakers closely monitor the family dynamics, intervening when necessary to ensure all chicks are healthy and cared for.

A caretaker feeds a penguin. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]